Alnwick (Narrowgate) - Oddfellow's Arms

Name: The Oddfellows' Arms

Address: 35, Narrowgate, Alnwick

Oddfellow's Arms 1940s

Historical records first reference the Oddfellows Arms Public House in 1855 though it probably opened several years before that. The photo above was from the early 1940s and showed the original Oddfellows Arms before it expanded into the empty shop to the left of the alley way. 

Registered on this section of Narrowgate Street on the 1851 census is a James Wiley, whose occupation is recorded as a 'Brewer'. As the Smart family, who were renowned local brewers were there in 1861 I suspect James was the first landlord at the Oddfellows.

1864 Town Map

Listed landlords were James Wiley (1851), Robert Edgell (1855), James Smart (1861-64), Ann Smart (1864-), Edward Nesbitt (1878-), John Whiteford (1891-98), William Bain (1898-1907), John Whiteford (1907-), Stephen Tait (1914), Edward Smallman (1921), Joseph Albert Redford Ternent (1939-), John Heightley (late 1940s-1967) and Tony and Mary Copeland.

1855 Whellan's Directory - Robert Edgell

1861 Census James Smart (Roper, Brewer and Innkeeper)

1864 Probate Record - James Smart

c.1990s

1871 Census Ann Smart

Sale or the Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick

There was a large attendance at the White Swan Hotel, Alnwick, on Wednesday, in consequence of the above sale. The auctioneer, Mr Henry Johnson, dilated upon the enhanced value of licensed premises in general, and of the number of licensed houses which within the last few years had been closed immediately in the neighbourhood o' the premises offered for sale, and then called for offers, upon which Mr Smart (Alnwick), bid £500, and was followed in rapid succession by Mr Wright (Belford), Mr Nesbit (Alnwick), Mr Davison (Denwick), Mr Gibson (Belford), and Mr Carr (Alnwick), who finally offered £1,100, when the auctioneer declared the sale open. The bidding now became more animated than before, the property ultimately being knocked down to Mr Carr for £1,460, it being understood that Mr E. Nesbit was the actual purchaser.

Saturday,  Feb. 23, 1878

Publication: Alnwick Mercury

INQUEST AT ALNWICK

On Monday forenoon last, an inquest was held at the Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, before George E. Watson, Esq , coroner for North Northumberland, on the body of Ellen Kavanagh, aged four years, the daughter of Jane Kavanagh, who resides in the Tunnel. After the jury had visited the premises where the death took place, and viewed the body, the following evidence was taken. Jane Kavanagh said: I am the widow of Michael Kavanagh, a musician. The body which the jury have just viewed is that of my daughter, Ellen Kavanagh, who was four years old. She died between half-past three and four on Saturday last. She had not been ill for any length of time.

Saturday,  May 24, 1879

Publication: Alnwick Mercury

1881 Census Edward Nesbitt

Alnwick Petty Sessions

At the Alnwick Petty Sessions on Saturday, before Mr. J. Craster (chairman), Mr. T. Clutterbuck,, and Major Browne, a young woman named Margaret Grey was charged with wilfully damaging three panes of glass, the property of Edward Nesbitt, landlord of the Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, on the 10th inst.; and further with being quarrelsome and refusing to quit the licensed premises of the said prosecutor when requested to do so by John Whiteford, on the same day.—Defendant complained of being indecently assaulted by Whiteford, and she then broke the windows; she was right to defend herself. —The magistrates fined the defendant for both offences, the amount of £1 17s, two previous convictions being produced against her; in default 14 days.—Defendant : I will go the 14 days. She was removed in custody.

Saturday,  Aug. 22, 1885

Publication: Morpeth Herald

DEATHS

12th at Alnwick, Oddfellows Arms, 68, Mr. Edward Nesbitt

Saturday,  Feb. 18, 1888

Publication: Morpeth Herald

1888 Probate Record - Edward Nesbitt

1891 Census John Whiteford

The Alnwick and District Licensed Victuallers' Association have decided to present their secretary, Mr. John Whiteford, Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, with a piece of silver plate in recognition and appreciation of his services rendered to the Association since its formation about 18 months ago.

Saturday,  July 2, 1892

Publication: Morpeth Herald

DRINK LICENSES

Occasional licenses were granted to John Whiteford, Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, and Ed. Burn, Tankerville Arms, Eglingham, enabling them to sell intoxicating liquors at farm stock sales to be held in the neighbourhood prior to the next court.

Saturday,  Mar. 10, 1894

Publication: Morpeth Herald

THE AMATEUR SPORTS

Mr. John Whiteford, Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, applied for, and was granted an occasional license to sell refreshments on the Cricket Field, Alnwick, on the occasion of holding an amateur sports festival.

Saturday,  Sept. 12, 1896

Publication: Morpeth Herald

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Saturday, Mat 7th, 1898. Before Major S. F. Widdrington (chairman), Mr. T. Tate, Mr. John Tate, and Mr. James Frater (chairman of Alnwick Urban District Council); also, Mr. Jos. Archer (clerk). LICENSING MATTER Mr. T. A. Thorp, solicitor, Alnwick, applied for the license of the Sun Inn, Alnmouth, to be endorsed in the name of Thos. Bowey, Newcastle, from William Clark. —Granted. The license of the George Inn, Alnwick, was endorsed in the name of William Mack, Bensham, from James Marr; The license of the Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, was endorsed in the name of William Bain, from John Whiteford, owner.

Saturday,  May 14, 1898

Publication: Morpeth Herald

Morpeth Herald Saturday,  June 11, 1898

ALNWICK URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

The ordinary meeting of members of this authority was held on Tuesday night, under the presidency of Mr. J. L. Newbigin (chairman). The chief items of business which came before the meeting were as follows: —

The following plans were passed:—Mr. W. K. Hindmarsh's for alterations to Mr. A. H. Henderson's new premises in Howick Street; Mr. W. R. Hindmarsh's plan for a new villa in Swansfield Park Road for Mr. Thos. Graham; a plan showing the removal of a cottage and other improvements in the Dardanelles, sent in by Mr. J. A. Pritchard's architect; a plan showing improvements to out offices at the Oddfellows' Arms Inn, Alnwick, sent in by Mr. J. Whiteford's architect. 

Saturday,  July 7, 1900

Publication: Morpeth Herald

1901 Census William Bain

THE SPORTS AT ALNWICK

An occasional license was granted to Mr. Wm. Blain, Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, enabling him to sell intoxicating liquors and refreshments in a tent in the Cricket Field on the occasion of the Alnwick Amateur Athletic Sports on the 2nd July.

Saturday,  June 28, 1902

Publication: Morpeth Herald

ALNWICK PETTY SESSIONS

SATURDAY MAY 4th. 1907— Before: Mr. J. Tate (presiding), Mr. T. W. ('raster, Mr. T. Tate, Mr. ii. Elliott, and Colonel Kenyon-Slaney; also the Acting Clerk (Mr. J. M. Wade), and Supt. Bolton. PUBLIC-HOUSES CHANGE HANDS. The following transfers were granted:— Horse Shoes, Alnwick, from James Harrington to Wm. N. Bain ; Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, from Wm. N. Bain to John Whiteford.

 Saturday,  May 11, 1907

Publication: Morpeth Herald

ALNWICK BREWSTER SESSIONS

PUBLIC-HOUSES CLOSED AND DECREASE OF DRUNKENNESS

Supt. T. Bolton, Alnwick, presented his annual report, showing that there were in the Ward 611 full licenses. 3 beer on, 3 beer off, 5 beer and spirits off, 2 wine and spirits off, and 1 wine and sweets off, making a total of 77, and showing an average of one license to about 308 inhabitants—the estimated population of the Division being 33,752. There are 7 registered clubs in the ward with a membership of 1,315, showing an average of 187 members per club. So far as the police know, they have been conducted satisfactorily. 312 persons were proceeded against and 305 convicted for drunkenness during the year 1908, being a decrease of 30 proceeded against and 34 convicted when compared with the number similarly dealt with during the year 1907; this gives a figure of 12.08 of drunkenness per 1,000 of the population. . Generally speaking, the various licensed have been fairly well conducted. Since the last Brewster Sessions, two license-holders have been convicted, viz., Frank Holt, Tailor's Arms. Alnwick, was fined £2 and 5- costs, on June 6th. for permitting drunkenness on May 2th. 1908; and Mary Ann Metcalf, of the Star Hotel, Alnwick, was fined 10/- and 5 - costs on 20th June, 1908, for selling intoxicating liquor to a drunken person on June Ist, 1908. The Phoenix Inn. St. Michael's Lane, Alnwick; Brewer's Hotel, Tailor's Arms, and Percy Arms, situated in Clayport, which were objected to by the Supt at the last General Annual Licensing Meeting and not being required for the needs of the district, were ordered by the Justices to be referred to the Compensation Authority, and came before that authority at the Moot Hall, on the 27th May, 1908, when the whole of the. four licenses were refused. The Phoenix Inn is still selling liquor, the authority having sent it to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue for settlement of compensation. The other three houses settled with the Compensation Authority as to the amount to be paid, and having received compensation, the houses were doited for the sale of liquor from the 10th October, 1908. Since the closing of these houses there has been a great improvement, so far as drunkenness and disorderly conduct is concerned, in Clayport Street. There were no applications for new licenses. 

BILLIARD ROOM FOR THE ODDFELLOWS' ARMS

Mr. John Whiteford. tenant of the Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, submitted a plan for constructing a bar on his licensed premises in the place of a sitting-room and doing away with the existing small bar. The proposed alteration would afford better supervision of the premises. He also applied for a license to a billiard room which he proposed to construct in the yard behind the inn.—Supt. Bolton said he had no doubt the construction of a bar would lighten the premises, as the rooms were dark, but with regard to the billiard room he did not think it was necessary, and more supervision would be required by the police. — The license was granted on the understanding that no drink would be served in the place, and any breach would emperil the license of the main premises.

Saturday,  Feb. 13, 1909

Publication: Morpeth Herald

1911 Census John Whiteford

1911 Census Summary

Looking up Narrowgate towards the Oddfellows 1900s

1914 Kelly's Directory Stephen Tait

1921 Census Edward Smallman

1939 Register Joseph Albert Redford Ternent

AIRMAN REMANDED

Charles H. Dawes was remanded in custody until next Wednesday with a view to being committed to Quarter Sessions on a charge of stealing jewellery , and National Savings certificates to the total value of £75 10s. Mrs. Margaret Scott, of Woodbine Road, Croftforth, said she consented to house Dawes for three nights at his request. She left him alone in the house after giving him a meal, and when she returned her visitor had gone. He never returned. Some days afterwards, at the request of the police, she made a search of her house and discovered that certain property was missing". Thomas Wm. Willcox, jeweller, Alnwick, said he bought a watch from Dawes for £5 10s, and Alfred Ernest Farmer, of Oddfellows' Arms, Alnwick, said he advanced the accused £5 on savings certificates valued at £7 10s. James Herbert Bristow. manager of a Blyth pawnshop, said Dawes pledged a gold albert, for which he was given £3 ls. Dawes pleaded guilty to stealing only part of the property mentioned in the charge.

Friday,  June 20, 1941

Publication: Morpeth Herald

John Heightley was a POW in WW2 whilst serving in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers before returning to Alnwick after the war to take on the Oddfellows.

It functioned as a popular local public house, known locally as "the Oddies", and officially closed its doors in 2017. Following its closure, the building was put up for sale and subsequently redeveloped into residential apartments.

Oddfellows Arms Public House 1990s